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Cubs expect to expand roster by up to five players

Cubs expect to expand roster by up to five players

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By Carrie Muskat
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MLB.com |

CHICAGO -- The Cubs will add four or five more players from the Minor Leagues once their regular season ends on Monday, but manager Dale Sveum said he preferred to let Triple-A manager Marty Pevey tell the players.

"When you get called up, you want to be told by the manager, not the press," Sveum said.

Catcher J.C. Boscan, who was called up briefly, was expected to be on the list, as well as left-handed pitcher Brooks Raley. For most of the season, Sveum's only lefty in the bullpen has been James Russell, and he's totaled 70 appearances.

"It's nice to have two lefties," Sveum said. "You can do a lot of things, but that other lefty has to be a guy who can go through an inning and get right-handed hitters out, otherwise, you'll murder your bullpen if you have two specialists there."

Double-A Tennessee, Class A Daytona and short-season Boise all reached the playoffs.

"One thing you try to do in the Minors is not only produce players, but produce winning players," Sveum said. "Having those guys go through things where you win all the time, win championships, be in the playoffs, be down the last two weeks -- even if they don't get in the playoffs, but understand how important every game is and every pitch and every out, that's very valuable when you get to the big leagues as well."